Everybody, into the pool

Rekindling the triathlon fires or perhaps taking up the
sport for the first time can be a bit intimidating and at times frustrating
especially when it comes to mastering the swimming discipline of the
sport. However, now is the perfect
time to jump in and get your feet wet (and the rest of you too). With summer still a few months away,
your local pool has yet to see the crowds of folks you're likely to encounter
in June, July and August. Having
access to an open lane gives you the chance to work on your stroke in relative
calmness and without worrying about bumping into strangers while sharing a
lane.

Working on your stroke is crucial at this stage of your swim
training. Having sound mechanics
and an efficient technique will provide a windfall of benefits once your
swimming conditioning takes off.
On the other hand, poor mechanics and bad habits are going to be harder
to overcome the longer they are practiced and ingrained in muscle memory. To this end, it may be a good idea to
take a swim lesson or two, perhaps have a consultation with a coach or at the
very least have an experienced friend watch and/or video your swimming so you
can get objective feedback and make adjustments.

As you hone your stroke, be aware that your aerobic capacity
may be limited in spite of all the cardio work you did in the off-season. The principle of specificity will
likely show his ugly side the first few times you get back in the water. Having to consciously breath while
exerting yourself is something we overlook when running or cycling. It's not uncommon for experienced
endurance athletes to find themselves out of breath after a 25-yard swim. If this happens to you, don't fret;
you're in good company.
As you become accustomed to the rhythm of breathing in the water, you're
aerobic capacity will catch up and you'll be swimming long distances before you
know it.

When it comes to the swimming leg of a triathlon, it's been
argued that you can't win a race in the swim but you can certainly lose
it. This holds true for
mid-packers, age-group leaders and everyone else. It's rare that a super fast swim will set up a fast bike and
quick run to propel you to a personal record. Given the amount of energy expended in swimming and the
marginal improvement gained for an exponential amount of effort spent, a more
conservative approach to the swim may be in order. When working with athletes, I often encourage them to find a
comfortable effort level; one they are capable of sustaining over the race
distance. The idea is to get out
of the water with energy still in the tank and ready to attack the bike and run
portions. This is where having an
efficient stroke becomes crucial.
By using less effort, you're able to maintain a good pace and conserve
energy for the latter stages of the event.

Because of its emphasis on mechanics, swimming should be
practiced often and with good form.
By perfecting your stroke early in the season, you'll be able to enjoy
your training all summer long. I encourage you to find the nearest
watering hole, sign up for lessons if needed, and above all else, just keep
swimming.